doggage

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A few months ago, after reading everyone's advice, I use a lot of Teflon tape and carefully threaded couplings onto the input an output of my March pump. Still, last night I was cleaning up and with one small pull on a connected hose the threads broke off inside my coupling.

I couldn't bear spending 30 bucks for another polysulphone head, so I searched around and found agreat deal on a bronze replacement head from Adventures in Homebrewing for 39.99.

I just called the number at the top of the page and asked for the replacement head. The owner is putting it in the mail tonight. At only 39.99, I'd say it's worth the extra 10 bucks just to never have to worry about this problem again.

g13092

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Sounds like a smart move to me. I've wondered about the robustness of the pump head. I'm surprised we don't hear about broken heads more often.

I've been thinking about getting a pump and putting it in a toolbox. Many of the setups I see have the head on the outside of the box, but I'd be worried about that without the Bronze head.

Wow, for $135, you get the Bronze head pump from Adventures in Homebrewing. That's just $30 more than the dude on Ebay with the standard plastic head.

doggage

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No doubt. Got mine and didn't know these bronze head models were available so cheap on this site. I definitely haven't seen anyone else with this good a price on a bronze head model, and the stainless are astronomically priced.

I had mine completely enclosed and mounted in a toolbox, so I can't believe it broke. I got mine used (in perfect condition, so it came out to about the same price getting it and this bronze head. But I'd recommend these to anyone who hasn't already bought a pump.

Boerderij_Kabouter

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If you watch eBay, the bronze head ones come up for cheap pretty regularly. No brewery want them for some odd reason. I had one and loved it. Just sold it to Irregular pulse here because I got a different pump head arrangement.

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samc

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The owner of Steinbarts in Portland told me he did not carry the March pumps anymore because too many of the plastic heads were breaking. Shortly after that conversation I noticed the website now has the plastic headed pumps for $194.50 . I guess he decided that if he can sell them for that price he can afford to replace the head if it breaks.

doggage

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Wow, that's a bit steep! I guess there's no shortage of people who either really want to support their LHBS or just don't shop around for whatever reason. I'm sure he'll still be able to sell a few even at that price.

stevehaun

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I have had my plastic pump head for about 8 years. However, I do keep a spare one on hand.

Gammon N Beer

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doggage
I just broke my pump this morning and remembered this thread. Are you happy with the bronze on? Any special tips I need to know to order one?

Thanks

samc

Recipes 

Can the head be repaired with JB Weld or similar? Seems like it might be worth a shot for a few bucks of epoxy.

Gammon N Beer

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Thanks for the suggestion samc, but the threads completely. I somehow forced it and "snap".

When I first got it I stripped the threads anyway almost immediately. I look forward to a bronze head.

In fact, if there is an alternative to March, I would highly consider it.